There are some who, if they meet with any reverse, or are slandered by any one, or if they fall into any bodily malady, any pain in the foot or head, or any other disease, immediately blaspheme. In this way they endure the affliction, but are deprived of the benefit.
On Wealth and Poverty
St. John Chrysostom
Category: BEST OF
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Such a person does good without waiting for a commandment. His good nature makes him in no need of a call to do good.
He does good because it is in his nature, being in God’s image. He does good as a habitual thing, as a breath coming out, without feeling that he is doing something strange or beyond his ability.
So, seeing it is something normal, he does not boast of doing it.
On the contrary, he who does not love good finds God’s commandment heavy, and he becomes an enemy to God! He feels that God deprives him of the pleasure of sinning, and that His commandment restricts him, leading him in a way he does not want. Thus God’s way becomes difficult to him and he walks in it forcibly, if ever he does!
—H.H. Pope Shenouda III, Fruits of the Spirit
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But, what if it is impossible to live peaceably with everybody?
* Do not be the cause of the controversy.
Be the crucified not the crucifier. You may face troubles from others, but do not be the beginner of evil. Moreover, do not be over-sensitive with regard to the faults of others.
—H.H. Pope Shenouda III, Fruits of the Spirit
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* Do not require others to be ideal, but accept them as they are, not as they ought to be.
We accept nature as it is: the seasons whether rainy, stormy or hot, we do not ask nature to change itself. Let us do the same with the others. Not all of them are righteous and good. So many have weaknesses or certain dominating temperament. People are of different types, some of which are troublesome. So, be like a spectator, not influenced by their behavior, and treat them wisely according to their nature.
—H.H. Pope Shenouda III, Fruits of the Spirit
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If a person has an opportunity to save someone from an attack against him, would he not do under pretext of gentleness?
He could say: It is not my business. What have I to do with that? Leave me alone! Or rather he advances valiantly to save him, gently. In this way the Lord Christ saved the woman caught in the very act from being stoned. He said to those who wanted to stone her: “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” He said this gently, without revealing their sins, but wrote them down on the ground.
—H.H. Pope Shenouda III, Fruits of the Spirit
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…If you keep silent, your silence will be wrong. Gentleness does not mean that you live like a still corpse in the society. You should have your own personality, but in a gentle way, even to express yourself with one word as the Baptist did, saying: “It is not lawful for you” (Mt 14: 4)
St. Paul the Apostle said, “Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.” (Acts 20: 31) His gentleness did not prevent him from warning everybody, but gently: with tears!
—H.H. Pope Shenouda III, Fruits of the Spirit
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A believer trusts that his own prayer has reached God, and that God has heard it and will respond. He is sure that God will act. That is why some of David’s psalms start with request and concludes with response. For instance he concludes Psalm (6) with the words: “Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity; for the Lord has heard the voice of my weeping. The Lord has heard my supplication..” (Ps 6: 8)
—H.H. Pope Shenouda III, Fruits of the Spirit -
Others fear failure:
Whenever such a person thinks of doing some business, he fears it may fail or face hindrances, plotting of competitors, or dishonesty of partners. If he is poor he fears becoming needy, and if rich fears robbery, and in all cases he keeps afraid.
Some people fear dangers.
If such a person takes an aeroplane he fears some calamity would happen, and he remembers such things published in newspapers. In any means of transportation he is in fear of accidents. All dark memories come to his mind in this respect and this makes him always afraid.
There is a type of people who fear their own weakness.
Such person fears his inability, his forgetfulness, his weakness before the power of his competitors or adversaries, and his inability to withstand. This makes him lose his self-confidence, the spirit of bravery, and the power to take an initiative. The image of inability and failure is always before his eyes. He even fears sin and feels unable to resist it.
Such fear causes a person confusion, disturbance and trouble, and may paralyze his ability to work.
It will have a bad effect on his soul and nerves. Fear will appear on his features, on his looks, on his voice and on his movements. He will tremble, become pale, and his heart beats increase. Everybody will see his fear which appears in his behavior, his hesitation, his inability to take decisions, and his seeking protection.
Fear may lead some to dejection. They put before them the words, “anyone who finds me will kill me.” (Gen 4: 4). A spiritual person, on the other hand, does not fear, but peace reigns over his heart, giving him confidence.
—H.H. Pope Shenouda III, Fruits of the Spirit
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One may feel afraid from some people though they do not think of doing him any harm at all.
King Saul, for instance, used to be afraid of David, and pursued him everywhere to kill him, though David never thought of doing him harm. Even when Saul was in his hand, and David had the opportunity to kill him, and his followers advised him to do so, nevertheless David said, “The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord.”.
‘And David rebuked his servants and did not allow them to rise against Saul (1 Sam 24: 6, 7). And see what David said to the king, “After whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom do you pursue? A dead dog? A flea?” These words made Saul lift up his voice and weep and say to David, “You are more righteous than I.” (1 Sam 24: 14, 16).
—H.H. Pope Shenouda III, Fruits of the Spirit
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